Tim Tebow is America's preferred Thanksgiving guest

Nov. 22, 2012
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Tim Tebow nearly broke Twitter when he connected with Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime for a TD to lead the Broncos past the Steelers in the wild card round of the 2012 NFL playoffs. Tebowmania had reached its peak. From there, the rest of the season included the circus of Tebow leaving Denver for New York City, his sequestration on the Jetsā?? bench and, what seems obvious now, inevitably being jettisoned to find a new home base for the hysteria. / Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports Images

by Chris Chase, USA TODAY Sports

by Chris Chase, USA TODAY Sports

America wants Tim Tebow at their Thanksgiving tables, preferably while wearing a shirt, because that'd be unsanitary otherwise.

The New York Jets backup was the clear winner of a poll conducted by Nielsen that asked Americans who they'd like as a Thanksgiving dinner guest. Tebow earned 23 percent of the vote, beating out, among others, Big Bird and Lady Gaga.

Barack Obama was named by five percent of respondents.

Judging by the throwing motions of Tebow and Obama, maybe Americans were basing their selections on who wouldn't pose much of a threat in touch football.

I don't think the voters thought much about the ramifications of each of the top choices. Tebow would ask to say grace and by the time he finished 45 minutes later, the food would be cold. Obama would be pardoning turkeys left and right. And how awkward would it be to carve a turkey with Big Bird sitting at the table, privately seething in the corner? What, are those peoples going to invite Mr. Potato Head too and ask him to mash the potatoes? Sit him next to Cookie Monster and then break the news that there's only pie for dessert? And Lady Gaga? She'd probably stuff herself inside the turkey for shock value.

Provided they're eating late, Americans may get the chance to hang with Tebow. He and the New York Jets play the New England Patriots at 8:20 p.m. ET.